TV: FX adding new channel, renews ‘Justified,’ green-lights ‘Fargo’

Oh, how fast they grow up. FX, that is, which held its first-ever upfronts this morning, announcing the addition of a third channel to its “suite,” FXX, which will skew younger and edgier than FX itself. Network President and GM John Landgraf defined the difference between FX, FXX and FXM by demographics: The traditional FX will target the 18049 demo, FXX will go after the 18-34 demo, and FXM will chase the 25-54 year olds.

The new channel launches Sept. 2 with four original comedies and one late-night show, with the aim to grow the content in the second year. The late-night show is “Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell,” moving from FX and answering my personal wish that the show run five nights a week. That’s a lot of work for a show whose content is entirely topical, but Bell can make it work.

Also moving from FX to FXX are “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, “whose ninth season launches this fall and which has been renewed for a 10th season, and “The League,” also renewed for two more seasons. The terrific new comedy “Legit‘ will also move from FX to FXX and has been picked up for a second season of gloriously heartwarming tastelessness.

FX itself will be in fine shape with the return of “Justified,” “The Americans,” “Sons of Anarchy,” “Wilfred,” ”Archer,” “and the third installment of “American Horror Story” from Ryan Murphy, this year to be called “Coven” with Oscar winner Kathy Bates joining the cast. ”Louie” is taking some time off but will return in May 2014. It speaks to how strong the FX lineup is that it can shift other existing shows to the new channel and still have enough to pull in viewers even if Louis CK is off working on his suntan somewhere.

FX launches a new drama in July called “The Bridge” and starring Diane Kruger and Damian Bichir. It’s a drama about fighting crime on the US and Mexican sides of the border.

Former Bay Area writer Noah Hawley has scored big as the developer of a TV miniseries version of the Coen Brothers’ “Fargo,” which will be exec-produced by the Coens. MGM Television in the lead producer on the show.

Guillermo del Toro is exec producing a new vampire series, “The Strain,” which Landgraf says will not romanticize blood suckers at all.

As previously reported, Oscar winner Ang Lee will direct the pilot for the new drama, “Tyrant,” about the son of a Middle Eastern dictator living in Miami who finds he cannot escape his own past and legacy.

Finally, FX is poised to jump headlong into the rapids of on-demand programming with FXNow, which will enable viewers to stream episodes of all its shows any time from the morning after they air. FX intends to go head to head with other streaming, on demand content providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

CBS also unveiled it plan to stay the course for the most part next year this week, renewing 14 series and leaving the fate of only a handful up in the air. The latter category includes the drama series “Vegas,” which is getting moved to Fridays beginning April 5, and the newcomer that took its previous spot on Tuesday nights, “Golden Boy.” Also on the bubble are “Rules of Engagement,” the walking zombie of TV sitcoms which CBS uses to fill in gaps left by cancelled newer shows, and “Two and a Half Men,” which is expected to return for an 11th season. Also expected back but not officially confirmed yet is “Criminal Minds.”

Returning shows include “2 Broke Girls,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “The Good Wife,” “Person of Interest,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Blue Bloods,” “Elementary,” “Person of Interest,” “2 Broke Girls,” “Mike & Molly,” “The Amazing Race,” “Survivor,” “Undercover Boss,” “60 Minutes” and “48 Hours.” Previously announced returnees include “NCIS,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Big Bang Theory,” and “CSI.” The next season will be the last for “How I Met Your Mother.” At this point, it seems like it’s been around so long they should call it “How I Met Your Grandmother.“